Building upon their early foundations the Teutonic Knights grew rapidly during the thirteenth century and enhanced their ability to conduct their military vocation. The Fifth Crusade specifically was the event which heralded an almost meteoric rise in their fortunes. Although this venture was ultimately a failure, it provided the brethren with the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities under the watching eyes of western Christendom.

In the aftermath of Henry VI's crusade, Pope Innocent III attempted to raise new forces for the defence of the East. Accordingly, he proclaimed a new crusade, which is now known as the Fourth Crusade. This crusade became diverted from its objectives in the Levant and conquered the city of Constantinople in 1204. Some contingents did reach the Holy Land, but they suffered heavy losses from disease. The Fifth Crusade was the next major expedition that was intended to retake Jerusalem. Pope Innocent launched this campaign in 1213 but died in 1216, before it could be realised, and thus it is was his successor Honorius III who carried this campaign to fruition.